Great Yarmouth Town FC by Gerry BrownTHE Bloaters' went 10 first team games this season before producing their first clean sheet. On Saturday, they completed their tenth such performance in the last 18 games.

Great Yarmouth Town FC by Gerry Brown

THE Bloaters' went 10 first team games this season before producing their first clean sheet. On Saturday, they completed their tenth such performance in the last 18 games.

During that time the team has also succeeded in conceding no more than one goal in any game. This despite losing captain and central defender Adey Ager early doors, and Marcus Saunders on several occasions with a hamstring injury which is currently keeping him on the sidelines until the

new year.

It's testament to not only the growing reputation of goalkeeper Michael Hilton but also the strength in depth that manager Paul Tong has so long craved and finally thought he had achieved, but which has recently been tested.

The Bloaters' boss has reacted calmly but has also made several signings to cover any further erosion of the side. On Saturday Jonny King made his debut, and Tong has also signed Chris Owen (for a second spell), Shaun Roberts (Poringland) and Chariton Halliday (Wroxham).

One mystery is the continued absence of Gareth Palmer who has been selected for the squad several times recently but has failed to show or to account for his absence.

“I want him to play, the lads want him to play,” said Tong. “But you have to wonder does he want it?

As a contracted player some appropriate action needs to be taken by the club.

“People say to me why do you do it (ie manage), when there are so many frustrations and problems with players? For me, I get great satisfaction in seeing the young players develop and that's what gives me a buzz and keeps me young! Training the other night was tremendous and the professionalism in the way they went about it, such as Craig Roberts and Martyn Magee, was tremendous.”

A second mystery is the low attendances at Wellesley Road. Only 42 - the lowest in the two Ridgeons divisions last Saturday for a top-of-the-table side that is playing attractive football and scoring plenty of goals.

Tomorrow (ko 3pm) is the last home game before the Boxing Day derby. Visitors Thetford are sure to provide a good test having beaten early-season promotion favourites Saffron Walden 3-0 last week. Yarmouth won 1-0 at Thetford in a Division One KO Trophy tie earlier this season.

The Reserves visit Thetford Reserves tomorrow (ko 3pm), while the U18s take on Wroxham at the Wellesley in their last match of 2009 on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).